Best Practices in Training and Mentoring

To design the Wild Forever Future Campaign, The Wilderness Society spent two years researching the most effective models of training and mentoring. We looked at successful programs in the nonprofit, corporate, academic, and government sectors, scanning more than 80 programs and interviewing experts in the field. We also surveyed literature outlining trends in nonprofit leadership and best practices in a blend model of training.

To learn more about the universe of training and mentoring programs we studied, read the following briefing papers and reports.

Briefing papers produced by The Wilderness Society:

Building a Campaign Skills Initiative: The Wilderness Society turned to seasoned campaigners to better understand their learning goals, the kinds of trainings they are participating in, and the kinds of training they would like access. Through an online survey and a series of informational interviews, The Wilderness Society suggests a new model for training land protection activists. Download and review the briefing paper in full.

Models of Successful Training and Mentoring Programs: The Wilderness Society profiled six programs that exemplify the best practices in comprehensive training and mentoring across the nonprofit, government, and academic sectors. We interviewed the founders and coordinators of these programs to learn more about their teaching methodologies, the challenges they faced in launching these programs, and the lessons learned in designing and launching such programs. Download and review the briefing paper in full.

Survey of Corporate Training Strategies: The Wilderness Society scanned award-winning corporate training programs to identify the key strategies that corporations execute to train employees at all stages of their career. Download and review the briefing paper in full.

Structuring a Sabbatical Program for Long-Time Wilderness Advocates: The Wilderness Society reviewed existing sabbatical programs to help conceive a sabbatical aimed at providing our most senior leaders the opportunity to step away from everyday responsibilities to study the challenges and opportunities of the future. Download and review the briefing paper in full.